Display and storage case



June 1, 1943. c. F. BELSHAW DISPLAY AND STORAGE CASE Filed July 15, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet l 3mm (War/es fc e [.s/zaw June 1, 1943. c. F. BELSHAW DISPLAY AND STORAGE CASE Filed July 15, I 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 1, 1943. c. F. BELSHAW 2,320,556

DISPLAY AND STORAGE CASE Filed July 15, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 C/mr/esEEe/s/zaw June 1, 1943. c. F. BELSHAW 2,320,556

DISPLAY AND STORAGE CASE Filed July 15, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 f? Q l 38 2 I 38 W xhxessz grwa/whw 3 Charles F 3e ZS/ICZW mwm Patented June 1, 1943 UNITED STAT-ES PATENT OFFICE I DISPLAY AND STORAGE case Charles F. Belshaw, GreenvilleyMich, Application July 15, 1941, Serial No. 402,532 (Cl. 312-171 4 Claims.

The present invention relates to display and storage cases and more part cularly to such a case which is especially well adapted for use in displaying and storing fresh fruits and vegetables.

The primary objects of the instant invention are to provide a display and storage case whereby fresh fruits and vegetables may be pleasingly displayed; to provide such a structure which is attractive in appearance; to provide such a structure which is highly efficient in its intended use; to provide such a structure which may be readily and conveniently assembled along side of one or more like structures whereby a display length may be increased as desired; and, to provide such a structure which is reasonably economical in manufacture.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of two of the display and storage cases disposed in side by side relationship, it being understood that one or more like cases may be likewise similarly disposed to increase a display length;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front perspective view of the structure showing one of the storage drawers in its outwardly drawn position;

Figure 3 is a sectional view thereof on line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view on line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the drawer suspension shown on smaller scale in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional view on line 6-45 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a sectional view on line 7-7 of Figure 4; and

Figure 8 is a rear elevational view of one section of the structure and a portion of an adjacent like structure.

Referring then to the drawings wherein like parts of the structure shown are each designated by the same numerals in the several views, a pair of adjacent cases such as am shown in Figure 1, each comprises a pair of spaced, vertically disposed end panels l secured together by an insulated intermediate front panel I I having a facing of stainless steel, enamel or other suitable material l2.

A base strut l3 having a facing l4 and a rear strut l se ured between spaced members l6, each fixed to an end panel 10 on its inner side and adjacent its lower end, provide for strength and rigidity of each individual case whose end panels I0 are further secured in rigid spaced vertical relation by an upper strut I1 and a middle strut l8, all as best shown in Figures 3 and 8. s

A floor I9 disposed rearwardly of the bottom of the insulated front panel I l is supported at its opposite ends between the end panels In by a pair of members 20, each'secured to the inner side of an end panel in vertically spaced relation above the members l6 and a vertically disposed wall 2| in rearwardly spaced relation to the front panel I I together with the floor 19 provides a trough 22 faced with a metal sheet 23 within which trough a layer of snow ice may be placed (Fig. 3).

An upward rearwardly angularly disposed shelf 24 supported along its forward edge on the upper edge of the rear wall 2| and along its rearward length on the middle strut i8 is disposed between the opposite end panels I0 and an upward rearwardly angularly disposed wall 25 supported along its lower edge on the upper length of the shelf 24 and along its upper length against the upper strut ll is likewise disposed between the end panels l0 and above the shelf 24.

The forward surfaces of the shelf 24 and wall 25 are faced with the same metal sheet 23 that faces the trough 22 and a vertically disposed wall 2'! secured between the end panels In in spaced relation to the shelf 24 adjacent the forward edge thereof prevents vegetables and fruit placed on the shelf from falling into the trough 22 whereas the downwardly angularly disposed shelf 28 between the panels It and in spaced relation to the front side of the wall 25 prevents displayed merchandise thereagainst from falling onto the shelf 24.

An upward forwardly angularly inclined mirror 29 supported along its lower length upon the upper length of the wall 25 and between the end panels i0 is provided to reflect and thereby, through optical illusion, magnify the fruit and vegetable display in the trough 22, on the shelf 23 and against the wall 25.

An inwardly facing elongated channel member 30 secured to each member 20 which support the floor l9 has a pin 3| projecting inwardly therefrom on whose outer end a roller 32 is rotatably mounted and a storage drawer 33 for each cabinet having handles 34 and disposed below its trough 22 has an insulated bottom 35, insulated walls 36 and is provided with a channel member 31 secured along the upper length of each of its end walls, providinga track for the rollers 32 whereby the drawers 33 may be withdrawn outwardly or forwardly from their closed positions shown in Figure 1 to their open positions shown in Figure 2.

The floor I! of each trough 22 and the floor of each drawer I3 are each inclined at a slight angle whereby water accumulating thereon from the melting snow ice may be drained through the conduits 3., 38 respectively into the drain gutter ll parallelly to the length of each cabinet.

It will thus be seen that the cabinet structure herein illustrated and described provides means for pleasingly displaying fresh fruits and vegetables in an attractive manner, that one or more like cabinets may be readily and conveniently assembled in end to end relationship to increase a display length as desired and that the invention described in my above identified co-pending patent application may be efllciently practiced.

While but one specific embodiment of the invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that certain details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention as the same is defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A structure of the class described comprising a pair of spaced vertically disposed end members, a horizontally disposed trough interposed between the end members adjacent their forward vertical edges, an upwardly and rearwardly inclined shelf interposed between the end members whose forward portion is disposed above the upper portion of the rear wall of the trough, a wall interposed between the end members above the shelf adjacent its forward portion, a drawer disposed-below the trough, a drain gutter disposed rearwardly of the drawer, and conduits communicating with both the trough and drawer leading to the gutter.

2. A structure of the class described comprising a pair of spaced vertically disposed end members, a horizontally disposed trough interposed between the end members adjacent their forward vertical edges, an upwardly and rearwardly inclined shelf interposed-between the end members whose forward portion is disposed above the upper portion of the rear wall of the trough, a wall interposed between the end members above the shelf adjacent its forward portion, an upwardly and rearwardly inclined wall interposed between the end members whose lower portion is above the rear portion of the shelf, a second shelf interposed between the end members above the first shelf and forwardly of the angularly disposed wall, a drain gutter disposed of and below the trough and a conduit communicating with the trough and leading to the gutter.

3. A structure of the class described comprising a pair of spaced vertically disposed end members, a horizontally disposed trough interposed between the end members adjacent their forward vertical edges, an upwardly and rearwardly inclined shelf interposed between the end members whose forward edge is disposed above the upper portion of the rear wall of the trough, a wall interposed between the end members above the shelf adjacent its forward portion, an upwardly and rearwardly inclined wall interposed between the end members whose lower portion is above the rear portion of the shelf, a second shelf interposed between the end members above the first shelf and forwardly of the angularly disposed wall, a forwardly-angularly disposed mirror interposed between the end. members whose lower portion is disposed above the upper portion of the angularly disposed wall, a drain gutter disposed rearwardly of and below the trough, and a conduit communicating with the trough and leading to the gutter.

4. A structure of the class described comprising a pair of spaced vertically disposed end members, a horizontally disposed trough interposed between the end members adjacent their forward vertical edges, an upwardly and rearwardly inclined shelf interposed between the end members whose forward edge is disposed above the upper portion of the rear wall of the trough, a wall interposed between the end members above the shelf adjacent its forward portion, an upwardly and rearwardly inclined wall interposed between the end members whose lower portion is above the rear portion of the shelf, a second shelf interposed between the end members above the first shelf and forwardly of the angularly disposed wall, a forwardly-angularly disposed mirror interposed between the end members whose lower portion is disposed above the upper portion of the angularly disposed wall, a drawer disposed below the trough, a drain gutter disposed rearwardly of the drawer, and conduits communicating with both the trough and drawer leading to the gutter.

CHARLES F. BELSHAW. 

